Illusion apparatus



Nov. 8; 1949 .1. A. KARSON' ILLUSION APPARATUS Filed 00 5.. 4, 1946 INVENTOR.

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Patented Nov. 8, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ILLUSION APPARATUS Joseph A. Karson, Springfield, Mass.

Application October 4, 1946, Serial No. 701,175

2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in game apparatus.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of game or legerdemain apparatus which consists of a body such as a ball which is provided with a socket arranged to receive a plug that is carried by a finger of the hand so that the ball may be manipulated relative to a screen which may conceal the finger.

With the foregoing and various other novel features and advantages and other objects of my invention as will become more apparent as the description proceeds, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more particularly pointed out in the claims hereunto annexed and more fully described and referred to in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the apparatus of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of theapparatus shown in relation to a screen; and

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of a screen with the ball therebehind.

Referring now to the drawings more in detail, the invention will be fully described.

The novel features of the apparatus include a body 2 and a manipulating device 4.

The body 2 may take any form desired but in the form of the invention shown is a sphere or ball. Preferably the body will be light in weight and for this purpose may be a hollow aluminum member.

The body is adapted to be supported by a sup- 1 port 6 which may be placed on a table top 8.

The body is provided with a socket I which may have tapering sides and adapted to receive a plug l2 of the manipulating device.

The plug I2 wil1 preferably be made from material so that it will frictionally engage the socket l0 and for that purpose cork will be suitable.

The manipulating device may be formed from a length of wire M which has the plug [2 secured thereto at one of its ends while the other end thereof is arranged helically to provide a receptacle adapted to receive a finger of the hand.

With the ball 2 supported by the member 6 and the manipulator attached to a finger a piece of cloth or screen S may be held in front of the body 2, as shown in Fig. 1.

With the screen S so held, the plug [2 may be inserted in the socket l0 whereby the body is supported by the finger by means of the manipulator without detection by those in front of the screen.

Then the body may be manipulated with the screen S in any desired manner so that it appears that the body is floating. Figs. 2 and 3 are explanatory of different efiects which'may be obtained.

As stated, the body may be made in any form desired, the particular body shown is for illustrative purposes only.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics thereof. Hence, the present embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects merely as being illustrative and not as being restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all modifications and variations as fal1 within the meaning and purview and range of equivalency of the appended claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

What it is desired to claim and secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. Apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, a spherical body which is relatively light in weight and provided with a socket in one side thereof, an elongated manipulating member having a socket in one end thereof for a finger of the hand, said socket disposed whereby with a finger therein said member extends substantially forwardly from and in alignment with said finger, a plug fixed to the other end of said manipulating device receivable in said socket and adapted to frictionally engage the same.

2. Legerdemain apparatus of the class described comprising in combination, a spherical body which is relativel light in weight and provided with an inwardly extending socket having inwardly converging sides, an elongated wirelike manipulating member having helically arranged convolutions at one end thereof formed to provide a finger socket whereby the member may be manipulated by a finger, and a plug fixed to the other end of said member having outwardly converging sides which is receivable in said socket and adapted to frictionally engage the same whereby said body may be supported by said member.

JOSEPH A. KARSON.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Number Mikamo et a1. Jan. 9, 1934 

